Squidoo Opens Public Beta

Squidoo is now open to the public in an open beta program. This is the brainchild of Seth Godin. Squidoo is like a blog. It's an online platform that makes it easy for anyone to build and share lenses on topics they are passionate about and establish thought leadership. You can explore lenses here. For example, this is a sample lens that Lynn Sherr of 20/20 built during the private beta. Every lens carries Adsense ads that are shared with the individual publishers and charities.

I really don't see what the big deal is about this product. I tried it during the private beta and found it very confusing. I recommend having your own blog instead - at least for now. If the Squidoo network grows and becomes important then I might change my position.

Technorati Tags: Squidoo

Comments

[Captoe]

It looks like a blog that's leaning away from the chronological layout that is currently dominant. If there are other distinguishing features, I don't get them.

Your point about the value being in the importance of the network is a good one, but why would anyone try to build your networked credibility in squidoo where someone else holds the keys?

The network that is harnessed won't thrive.

[Pete Cashmore]

Steve,

I totally agree - I think Squidoo is a nice service for those who can't (or don't want to) set up a blog, but having your own blog is still preferable. More thoughts here:

http://mashable.com/2005/12/07/extra-extra-squidoo-beta-now-public/

[Heath Row]

Thanks for the mention, Steve! Now that our contextual help is active, hopefully we're slightly less confusing... -- When thinking about lenses and blogs, don't think "or," think "and." Lenses can help point to the best entries of a blog, promote and drive traffic to a blog, and otherwise make it easier for people to get the best you have to offer... immediately. It's a parallel to, not a replacement for blogging.

[Mack Collier]

As I wrote about on BMA, it sounds like they are hoping it will eventually become a competitor for Wikipedia.

One thing that's interesting is that Seth apparently isn't advertising the existance of Squidoo at this point, and is relying on bloggers to spread the word.

A quick Technorati search shows it's working. I posted about the beta opening to the public at around noon on BMA after getting an email from Heath, and already at that time close to a 100 posts were on blogs about it going public.

[Russell Page]

Yes, but, it only becomes parallel to blogging if people see it as such. I am also having a hard time seeing where Squidoo fits in.

[Derek Andrews]

I think it is wrong to think of Squidoo as like a blog. The only similarity I see is the content management system which make editing and publishing so easy. A blog consists of chronological posts. A lens maintains no such chronology. All the reader sees is the current status of the page.

I think a better analogy would be to say that a Squidoo lens is like a DMOZ page. One that allows you to add pure text, photographs, RSS feeds, affiliate advertising as well as links, without all the DMOZ rules about what is acceptable content or editorial style.

[Tracy Sheridan]

Here's my take: granted, I'm still trying to get my head around it, but from what I see, Squidoo = blogging + wiki + expert information, + social networking all in one place. Now add tagging + photo sharing + rev gen, and you've got a virtual 'one stop shop' for today's web (/Web 2.0) technologies. And a room full of experts (a really big room).

So why go to seven different places to utilize technologies when you can just go to one? That is what got me excited. That's where I see the brilliance. I'm not suggesting that it will take the place of del.icio.us, flickr, TypePad, Wikipedia, Friendster, or about.com.

I like it. I think it's pretty cool. But I'm still getting my feet wet.

(Religious reader/evangelist of your blog, and listener of your podcast, Steve!)

[seth godin]

Hi Steve,

I think it's fascinating that those with the most success at blogging seem to see the least benefit at Squidoo.

It really doesn't replace blogging in any way. The idea is that you might update your lens weekly, at the most. It's a signpost, a directory, a card catalog that updates itself.

It's free, and it brings new readers to the stuff you'd like them to read. I'm not sure what the downside is for a successful blogger... the proximity effect makes it easy for others (the 99% of those out there who don't know you) to find you.

Thanks for trying it.

[Afra]

just added a lense.
http://www.squidoo.com/cashflow/

i can see this benefiting lensemasters with some web 2.o-esque social networking tools. and i'll join those that say it will just be another channel to syndicate your blog/rss at the very least.

[Ben Rowe]

Steve,

In theory, I think that Squidoo is about web searching more than blogging. It's like a search engine with a permanent 'passionate' filter.

Google searching for a topic usually results in finding yourself wading knee deep in websites trying to sell you something that you're not looking to buy. Squidoo, I think, potentially gives you all the key information sources in the one place.

It's a fascinating example of the new world order of marketing, where Seth and the Squidoo team have created a buzz without spending any advertising. Right now 'Squidoo' is the number one searched item on technorati. Pretty good for day one.

[Rob]

I couldn't agree more Steve. I took a brief look at it during the private beta as well and found it quite confusing. There was too much going on; the whole page felt very busy. I like the idea, but they need to improve the format.

[Ken]

The concept is similar to that of oondi (http://www.oondi.com) except that oondi will pay out 100% of the advertisement profits to the authors. Their hosting costs are covered by clicks which occur on non-author owned pages like the index but I suppose it's basically a non-profit organization similar to Wikipedia rather than a commercial one like HubPages or Squidoo.